Chomsky’s LAD theory

What’s his key idea?

All individuals are born with a language acquisition device (LAD) that allows children to recognise and develop language

All children are genetically programmed to learn a language

What’s LAD?

Learning acquisition device - a hypothetical structure in the brain that gives you a genetic ability to learn a language

How can children learn language?

They can’t learn languages through imitation alone because grammar and syntax is often irregular (slang)

Children need to experience multiple people using language to learn it - they don’t need to be taught directly

How does he prove this?

He found that even if adults use correct grammar or even correct a child’s grammar, they’ll still apply plural rules (e.g. deers)

This showed how this is already in their language development, and although it’s wrong they can still use it

Can you learn languages at any age?

He says if you’ve not developed language before the age of 5 you may never develop it because it will be far more difficult as this is a critical time period to learn languages

Criticisms

• didn’t consider those who had delayed language due to learning disabilities

• Chomsky puts allot of amassed on grammar rather than the meaning of sentences themselves

Bruner

Suggested that social interaction is more important than Chomsky suggested and that interaction is essential, especially in the early years of development